Great Falls Hospital Expands Cardiac Care with Innovative Ross Procedure
Great Falls Hospital is now offering the Ross procedure, a complex and innovative heart surgery providing a durable, natural solution for patients needing aortic valve replacement and aortic surgery. The procedure is performed by board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Simon Maltais, who joined the hospital’s cardiothoracic surgery program in July 2024.
What is the Ross Procedure?
The Ross procedure utilizes a patient’s own pulmonary valve to replace a diseased aortic valve. This approach offers several potential long-term benefits, including improved durability, improved long-term survival in healthy patients, natural valve function, and potentially reducing or eliminating the need for lifelong blood thinners.
Who Benefits from the Ross Procedure?
This option is particularly beneficial for younger, healthier patients seeking a lasting solution that preserves their quality of life. According to Dr. Maltais, the Ross procedure is an excellent choice for these individuals because it uses their own tissue, offering a more natural result and freedom from many of the limitations associated with prosthetic valves.
Expanding Cardiac Care in Montana
“Bringing the Ross procedure to Great Falls Hospital means our patients can receive world-class, cutting-edge heart surgery right here in Montana, without needing to travel to a large metropolitan center or out-of-state,” said Dr. Maltais. Mark Robinson, CEO of the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital, added, “It’s remarkable to offer such an advanced and specialized heart surgery right here at home—something typically only available in large metropolitan centers.”
Comprehensive Cardiac Services at Great Falls Hospital
The addition of the Ross procedure expands the range of cardiac services already offered at Great Falls Hospital, including complex aortic surgery, less invasive heart valve interventions, and high-risk heart failure surgery. Dr. Maltais demonstrated the Ross procedure to Touro University medical students using a pig heart to illustrate the surgical technique.
Learn More
For more information about the Ross procedure or Great Falls Clinic’s heart and vascular services, visit www.gfclinic.com or call 406-454-2171.